Just a question

fireworksinjuly · 03-29-2005, 06:25 AM

Elephants have a longer life span then a cat does.
So why does a Pomeranian have a longer life span then a St. Bernard?

I know its a commonality to have smaller dogs live longer then larger dogs, but in the general scope of the animal kingdom its reverse. A larger animal lives longer then a smaller one. Hippos live longer then mice, Geraffs live longer then squirels.

I was told as a child that it had to do with their heart, a larger animals heart doesnt beat as fast as a smaller animals does. And when I was 6 this kinda made sense. But today I know that my Min Pins heart beats faster then my Samoyed but they are still projected to live longer then he will.

eskilady · 03-29-2005, 06:34 AM

I have heard that it is the size of the heart in relationship to the size of the animals' body. A great dane has a very small heart and only lives to be around 7 years old.

fireworksinjuly · 03-29-2005, 08:33 AM

oh so by that then the Elephant has a HUGE heart and the cat...well doesnt.... ok...
so it would seem like a dogs heart is approximatly the same size regardless of the breed, and since the body size changes and the heart doesnt change much then that would be true....
I doubt that makes sense to anyone ...but i think I get it.

Saintgirl · 03-29-2005, 09:15 AM

Yes, my Saints heart isn't as big as my husky/shepherds in comparison to body size and weight. His heart has to do more work to sustain his massive size. However their are other things that are taken into consideration when determining the shorter life span of a giant breed dog. Arthritis and dysplasia are all to common in giant breeds and can effect their life span, when considering their quality of life. A hard reality for me to except, but when my 180lb boy begins to suffer too much due to pain we will help him to cross that golden bridge. Thank God he is only a year and half now, and we hopefully won't have to deal with that for many years to come.

sunny98 · 03-29-2005, 07:59 PM

Cool question. I had never really thought of it before but it does make sence.

03-29-2005, 06:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
fireworksinjuly Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,585 Rep Power: 138	Just a question Elephants have a longer life span then a cat does. So why does a Pomeranian have a longer life span then a St. Bernard? I know its a commonality to have smaller dogs live longer then larger dogs, but in the general scope of the animal kingdom its reverse. A larger animal lives longer then a smaller one. Hippos live longer then mice, Geraffs live longer then squirels. I was told as a child that it had to do with their heart, a larger animals heart doesnt beat as fast as a smaller animals does. And when I was 6 this kinda made sense. But today I know that my Min Pins heart beats faster then my Samoyed but they are still projected to live longer then he will.
	__________________ To See Our Story and Help See That All Babies Be Born Healthy- http://www.Walkamerica.org/SophiaFairchild

03-29-2005, 06:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
eskilady American Eskimo Dog lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: upstate NY Posts: 161 Rep Power: 69	I have heard that it is the size of the heart in relationship to the size of the animals' body. A great dane has a very small heart and only lives to be around 7 years old.
	__________________ Eskilady Mom to Maizie (9), Milo (6), Molly (5) and baby Mona plus bridgekids Motli, Margie and Misha http://www.geocities.com/fingerlakeclub/Miracle.html

03-29-2005, 08:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
fireworksinjuly Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,585 Rep Power: 138	oh so by that then the Elephant has a HUGE heart and the cat...well doesnt.... ok... so it would seem like a dogs heart is approximatly the same size regardless of the breed, and since the body size changes and the heart doesnt change much then that would be true.... I doubt that makes sense to anyone ...but i think I get it.
	__________________ To See Our Story and Help See That All Babies Be Born Healthy- http://www.Walkamerica.org/SophiaFairchild

03-29-2005, 07:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
sunny98 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mt Vernon Wa Posts: 822 Rep Power: 95	Cool question. I had never really thought of it before but it does make sence.
	__________________ Erin, Sunny and the gang

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03-29-2005, 09:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
Saintgirl Hutch and Abbey's Mom Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nova Scotia Canada Posts: 21 Rep Power: 65	Yes, my Saints heart isn't as big as my husky/shepherds in comparison to body size and weight. His heart has to do more work to sustain his massive size. However their are other things that are taken into consideration when determining the shorter life span of a giant breed dog. Arthritis and dysplasia are all to common in giant breeds and can effect their life span, when considering their quality of life. A hard reality for me to except, but when my 180lb boy begins to suffer too much due to pain we will help him to cross that golden bridge. Thank God he is only a year and half now, and we hopefully won't have to deal with that for many years to come.

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